NYC

Drew has always been a dreamer. It’s one of my favorite things about him. In high school he wanted to dream about being old. Whatever old means. He loves to ask me what ifs. Or play would you rather go on a road trip with ____ or ____? Or would you rather drive a van or a dented 1999 corolla? Neither! It’s also been a hard part of our marriage. He’s strung me along on lots of dreams. I tell him I’ll be happy doing whatever. And I mean that. I could be happy living literally anywhere with him. 

About two years ago he went to visit some of our dearest friends in New York City. We don’t have a lot of free money to spend so this was a pretty big deal. We decided he would buy literally whatever he wanted. Georgia was almost one and he was working a lot and had the new dad tireds. I loved being a new mom, but I love being a mom of two much better. My expectations are so much lower. I enjoy my baby and don’t want him to walk tomorrow. I don’t google. As much. I think I made Drew really tired when I was a mom of one. He had like the best trip of his life. New York was the perfect place for him to live out a lot of those dreams. When he got home he told me he really wanted to live there. But I didn’t really have to worry about that dream because the prices would always keep us out. 

Drew would bring up this move from time to time, but I never took it seriously. He even got my sister on board and they would chat about the possibility from time to time. Oh 2020. Covid hit the city hard and lots of people moved out. Prices dropped looooow. We went to visit and had the best week. I finally had to face the dream. 

We’re moving February 28th. My baby Clark will be five months and Georgia is two. We’re living on the same street as our friends in a two bedroom 600 sq ft apartment. We’ll be on the Upper West Side, 2/3 blocks from Central Park. My dad’s friend told me I should blog about what it’s like to move away from my family with two babies to the East Coast into a tiny apartment. So here I go. 

Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord!"

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Baby Georgia

10/11/2018

9:30AM

Baby Georgia,

I am 30 weeks pregnant with you in my belly. I am 25 years old and living in Oceanside, California. I am writing you this note while subbing at La Costa Canyon High School, where me and your daddy met. 

I found out I was pregnant with you in March after 3 months of trying! Your dad fell asleep and I took a test that said positive. I woke him up and we hugged and I cried a bit. Our journey started that night. It was so exciting to tell people about you. People love your name that dad thought of. I’ve had a really easy time with you in my belly! I was really tired at first, so tired I couldn’t even wake up to say hi to dad when he got home from work. My skin has broken out and I’ve been drinking celery juice every morning to clear it up! I have been substitute teaching, nannying, and watching your cousin Maddyn to make a little extra money these past few months. I am so thankful to God that I’ve been healthy enough to do this! My belly took a while to grow but now that’s it’s here I love it SO MUCH! We feel you kick and move all the time. Dad touches my belly in public even when I tell him not to. It’s very sweet. Last weekend Rara and Gama and Marmar and Lexa threw you a shower! We had lots of friends there to celebrate you. Everyone is so excited for you to come! 

It’s really hard to imagine who you are going to be. I think you will have bright eyes, dark curly hair, and soft skin. I know our lives will change so much but it’s very difficult to imagine all the ways. I know you’re in my belly but I have a hard time remembering you’re a real person with a whole life ahead of them! I am praying that you love God, understand the goodness of His commandments for you, comprehend the love He has for you displayed on the cross, and live a life devoted to Christ and led by the Holy Spirit living inside of you. There is so much I cannot wait to teach you but that is the most important thing of all. 

This is the smallest bit of everything I want to say to you, but I am writing this in a room full of high school students and it’s a bit embarrassing to have a quivering lip and wet eyes! You’ll come to know I care way too much about what others think, you’ll have to help me grow in that. 

All the love my heart knows,

Mama

Ryanne and Emily, friends and roommates of mine from Wesmtont College. 

Paige and Maggie, best friends since High School!

Auntie Lexa, Rara, and Auntie Marmar. 

Cookies Gama had made for you!